Remington 1903A3

[neorebel]

Isn't RR-P Red River Arsenal? Raritan would be RA-P correct?

Sorry that was my typo!!! lol! It is a rebuild from RA-P Raritan Arsenal. NOT RR-P.

I appreciate all of the comments and while I am tempted to change the bolt out, it would be better to leave it alone and just buy a spare bolt.

The front sight cover is "R" marked Mark. I am no expert on them though. "R" I would assume is Remington.

[Randy A]

I would have to respectfully disagree, the mere existence of the A3 came about from expedited production. It was a result of time, cost and materials savings requested/recommended by Remington and to my knowledge was never expressed or intended to wear the C stock at production.
Some early A4s came in pre-war Springfield (small S in cutoff) stocks same with scants, some early A4s wearing scants also had s markings. I've seen several and owned one.
Anyhow, if your stock has not been heavily sanded and there are no signs of previous inspector marks and only one proof "P" then it is very likely installed at a rebuild. Hard to say if it was on that rifle either, how many people have owned it since then?
Sight cover is the standard one.

[Rick the Librarian]

The above posters are quite right:

1) Parts were not mixed

2) All Remington M1903s and M1903A3s ALL had "straight" stocks. Some of the later M1903A4s had Scant stocks as produced, but those were the ONLY cases where were Scant stocks were used on new production rifles.

3) Springfield-made Scant stocks would only fit on M1903s; those made by other manufacturers would fit on both M1903s and M1903A3s.

[neorebel]

I really don't have any doubt it was passed through Raritan after the war and went through a repair process. It's pretty well documented that C stocks were put on after the war since it is marked with RA-P on the wrist of the stock, has no "P" markings or acceptance stamps like it should.

I ordered a nice All Remington bolt for her and will keep the Smith-Corona as well since it is a nice bolt too!

Other than that she stays as it is.

Thank you all for your kind words and great knowledge!

[Mike D]

Some early A4s came in pre-war Springfield (small S in cutoff) stocks same with scants, some early A4s wearing scants also had s markings. I've seen several and owned one.

That is interesting. I've never seen or heard of an early Scant being modified for A4 use. Makes sense, just never seen it. It would take the same amount of modification as a pre-war C-stock.

Anyone have any photos or additional comments on this?

Mike

[neorebel]

I've never seen a "she" 03-A3. All Remington & Smith Corona 03-A3's were originally produced with the straight grip stock. Factory fresh, all had only parts produced by the company that made it. (Remington or Smith Corona). If you have an 03-A3 with a "Scant" or "C" stock on it then its a replacement stock that was installed after the rifle left the factory.

"She" is an old Navy habit of mine....funny Mike....I never even think about using it. All of my cars, guns and such are referred to as "She" to me.